smack (redirected from smack bang)

smack (dab) in the middle

exactly in the middle. I came in smack dab in the middle of the play. I want a piece that is not too big and not too small—just smack in the middle.

See also: middle

smack someone down 

1. Lit. to knock a person down or cause a person to retreat with a slap or a blow. He tried to touch her again and she smacked him down. She smacked down the rude fellow.

2. Fig. to rebuke someone. she smacked him down by telling him that he didn't fit in there anymore. He has a way of smacking down people who ask stupid questions.

smack something down (on something) and smack something down (onto something)

to slap something down onto something. He smacked his bet down onto the table, angry with his mounting losses. Todd smacked down his hand on the table. She smacked her dollar down and grabbed up the newspaper.

smack in the face

Fig. something that will humiliate someone, often when it is considered deserved; an insult. Being rejected by Jane was a real smack in the face for Tom, who thought she was fond of him. Meg thought she was the best-qualified candidate for the job, and not getting it was a smack in the face.

See also: face

smack of something

to be reminiscent of something; to imply something. The whole scheme smacked of dishonesty and deception. All of this story smacks of illegal practices.

smack the road

Sl. to leave; to hit the road. Time to smack the road! Let's go! Let's smack the road. I have to get up early.

See also: road

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smack-bang  (British, American & Australian informal) also smack-dab (American informal)

exactly in a particular place, especially in the middle of somewhere (always + adv/prep ) She lives smack-bang in the middle of London.

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smack your lips

to show excitement or satisfaction Planners began smacking their lips at the thought of all that farmland to build on.

Etymology: from the sound made when you quickly move your lips together and apart to show you are hungry or that you like something

See also: lip

smack of something

to have some of the characteristics or qualities of something The book smacks of having been written by a committee rather than an author with a point of view.

Usage notes: often said about a negative characteristic or quality, as in the example